Corner to Corner: our 5% Profit to Non-Profit Initiative
Good morning! Since this week is Easter and the start of a fresh quarter, I thought I’d keep things springy and uplifting – yet still impactful, I hope. If you’re a client in our Advisory Practice, your monthly investment statement says:
We donate 5% of profits to non-profits who are aligned with our values of integrity, honesty, inclusion, and abundance.
So today I’d love to take the opportunity to role model how we do this and hold ourselves publicly accountable to it, by reporting back to you: our 2023 (non)-profit donation will go to Corner to Corner.
Earlier this year, I charged Tammy with creating a simple set-it-and-forget-it annual process for this initiative. You may be thinking: “This has three steps; do you really need a step by step guide?” Well, yes. It’s something that we intend to repeat each year, and a process makes that easy. It means that we don’t have to re-create the wheel or waste brainpower each year. So here’s what we (read: Tammy) decided:
- Each year a Strategist will identify the charity they’d like us to donate to, as Strategists directly drive company profits.
- The next Strategist “up” is the person who’s been with us the longest + 1 full year of employment. Then, once one person chooses, we’ll rotate to the next thup e following year.
- The Strategist emails their manager with a brief description of how the charity aligns with EO values and the donation process for that charity.
So for 2023, Erin Wolff selected our charity. It was the first time that we followed this process; and of course, Erin set the highest bar for submission, nominating Corner to Corner. Take a peek at her thoughtfulness and presentation…
I’d like to nominate local nonprofit Corner to Corner for our donation.
They have 2 core programs:
- Script to Screen: promotes elementary age school kids’ literacy and creativity through script reading and writing
- Academy: preparing, educating, and sometimes funding early-stage Black entrepreneurs
Here is how they align with our values:
Integrity. We have a thought-out answer to “why?”
Why? Because we want all of our Nashville neighbors to flourish. Corner to Corner is working to create meaningful economic growth with historically underestimated Nashvillians by tackling two core root issues: early childhood literacy and accessible education and skill building for Black entrepreneurs.
Honesty. We have difficult conversations, in order to move forward.
Corner to Corner informs their mission with some hard facts: A median Black family has one-tenth the wealth of a median white family, with a higher rate of downward mobility. Black-owned businesses are fewer in number and smaller in size, resulting in a $1.6 trillion loss of economic value for all Americans. Literacy is a key factor in predicting future earnings, with a solid proficient reader earning $23k per year on average more than peers not reading at a proficient level.
Inclusion. We seek and incorporate viewpoints that are contrary to our own.
Corner to Corner exists to help underestimated and underrepresented Nashvillians flourish so that we don’t miss out on their talent and creativity.
Abundance. We give first.
Academy students are only required to cover the cost of their workbook and materials and Corner to Corner covers the 10-week, in person course. In addition, Script to Screen is free for the kids.
Is there anything else to say with this mic drop thoughtfulness? My gosh, like I said: Erin’s set the bar way (waaaaaaaaaay) high for us.
I know that this practice has been intriguing to some, especially as we’re helping several clients define their profit sharing programs right now. So if it’s something you’re considering, I hope this example and mini-process helps you see what it could look like, for your own business.
